PSG falls again and revives the suspense

Invincible between August and December, the PSG accuses the blow in 2023. The leader of Ligue 1 fell again, Sunday January 15, in Rennes (0-1), reviving the suspense at the top of the championship.

A veritable pet peeve of Paris in recent seasons, Rennes has won thanks to its captain Hamari Traoré.

The entry into play of Kylian Mbappé, returned from his post-World Cup vacation, has not changed anything.

The lead of the Parisians continues to melt with this second defeat suffered a fortnight after that inflicted by Lens, his dolphin returned to three points thanks to his victory 1-0 against Auxerre.

On the bottom step of the podium, OM triumphed over Lorient and came within five points of the Parisians.

"The teams behind don't give up. We mustn't start losing too many points because otherwise we're going to be in trouble," noted Parisian captain Marquinhos on Amazon Prime.

The other pursuers animate a tight race for the European places.

AS Monaco, impressive on Sunday against Ajaccio (7-1), and Rennes are only five points from the podium.

Ultra-effective against Troyes (5-1), Lille is not far either.

The PSG of Neymar and Lionel Messi is therefore the only leading cador to have lowered its flag this weekend, an anomaly which is a task one month from the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League against Bayern.

Regrouping in the pack of contenders for the Champions League

Six clubs in a pocket handkerchief but only three places in the Champions League, behind an escaped Napoli and big favorite for the scudetto after his demonstration against the Bianconeri (5-1).

That's the equation in Italy as Serie A Matchday 18 saw a general consolidation at the top of the standings.

Atalanta Bergamo, passed eight goals to a defenseless Salernitana (8-2), Lazio Rome got the better of Sassuolo (0-2) while Roma dominated Fiorentina thanks to a brace from Paulo Dybala ( 2-0).

The trio are three points behind Juventus (3rd) and Inter Milan (4th) and four behind AC Milan (2nd).

Among these three clubs, Juve largely lost to Naples (5-1) while Inter won 1-0 against Héllas Verona and AC Milan was content with a draw against Lecce (2 -2).

Real Sociedad do the right thing

Third unsuccessful trip for Atlético Madrid: the Colchoneros were hung 1-1 on Sunday for the 17th day of La Liga in Almeria, and stall in 4th place.

The people of Madrid had opened the scoring on a clever action initiated by Antoine Griezmann, who let Geoffrey Kondogbia's pass slip towards striker Angel Correa (18th).

But Almeria responded with a perfect center from Lucas Robertone, concluded with a diving header by former Reims center-forward El Bilal Touré (37th).

Real are on the heels of Real: thanks to their brilliant 3-1 success in the Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in Anoeta, Real Sociedad continue to impress and are getting closer to three points behind Real Madrid (2nd, 38 points) .

The Txuri-urdin (white and blue, in Basque) started strong with a goal from Alexander Sorloth (25th) and a jewel from Takefusa Kubo, who erased a defender from a small bridge before adjusting Unai Simon (37th ).

Athletic Bilbao closed the gap in stride thanks to Oihan Sancet, whose shot was not correctly deflected by Alex Remiro (40th), but the Basque captain Mikel Oyarzabal sealed the victory on penalty (63rd).

The two leaders of La Liga, FC Barcelona (1st) and Real Madrid (2nd), did not face each other in the league but in the Spanish Super Cup final, played in Saudi Arabia.

And Cules coach Xavi took the opportunity to lift his first trophy.

Derby day: Arsenal get the better of Tottenham, Manchester United over City

Thanks in part to Hugo Lloris' first own goal in 354 Premier League appearances, Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the table to 8 points.

While the North London derby between the Gunners and Tottenham is traditionally one of the hottest in England, this one was snuffed out in the first half thanks to two goals from Arsenal, who then bowed and left his goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale finish the job (2-0).

The Gunners now have 47 points against 38 at City, beaten on Saturday in the derby against United.

The Red Devils have confirmed their return to the forefront of the English championship by beating Manchester City (2-1).

Led, but never resigned, they overthrew, with a little help from the referees, a City that is no longer running smoothly with a transparent Erling Haaland.

United goes back close to the podium with 38 units, one length behind its neighbor (2nd).

While he broke the piggy bank again to recruit the Ukrainian Mykhailo Mudryk for 100 million euros, Chelsea offered a capital success against Palace (1-0).

With 28 points, the Blues remain 10th and ten units from the qualifying places for the Champions League, but the Londoners, and especially their coach, Graham Potter, needed it badly.

We will have to confirm the slight upturn next week in Liverpool, in a match that is practically double or nothing for the two teams.

Facing Fulham, a surprise team at the start of the season, Newcastle found the fault at the very end of the match (1-0), after being saved by a slip from Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic resulting in the cancellation of the penalty he had converted .

Overtaken on Saturday by Manchester United, the Magpies regain 3rd place on goal difference (38 pts, 22 against +8), one length behind the reigning English champion.

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